Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid can now power homes during an outage

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been approved for vehicle-to-home power use in Japan

The ability to plug electric vehicles into the mains raises the potential for their connecting to and powering other devices as well. Mitsubishi has announced that its Outlander PHEV can now do just that. Japanese users will be able to power their homes in the event of a power outage.

Mitsubishi has dabbled in vehicle-to-home (V2H) power technology before, as too have other car manufacturers like Toyota. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV series can already be used in a V2H capacity, but the company says that Outlander PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the world to provide the functionality.

According to Mitsubishi, the use of a V2H system is only approved for all-electric vehicles in Japan. As the Outlander PHEV's engine doesn't run whilst it's connected to a V2H system, however, the company says it has now been approved for recognition as an all-electric vehicle in this situation.

To use the V2H functionality, the Outlander PHEV must have a quick-charging socket installed. Users can then attach it to Mitsubishi's Smart V2H system, Nichicon's EVPower Station or Tsubakimoto's Tsubaki eLINK. Mitsubishi says the vehicle will be able to power a home for a day on a full battery charge and up to 10 days with a full tank of gas. Other suggested uses are at evacuation or disaster sites and for outdoor leisure activities.